TN Newsletter Volume 14 Issue 8

Volume 14, Issue 8
August 1st, 2015
Targa Newfoundland
September 13th - 18th, 2015
St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada
Writer & Layout: Darren Sheppard
Targa Newfoundland Newsletter
Competing or spectating: things to know about Targa Newfoundland
Visiting a new area can be an exciting or stressful
activity. Many factors come into play in preparing for a trip.
The logistics of planning to attend Targa Newfoundland is
no different than most trips; do it right the first time and
it’ll be a wonderful experience.
As the General Manager and Registrar, it is part of
my job to assist those who wish to compete in the event,
but also for friends, family and fans that wish to see the
stages as they occur. They want to experience the
excitement of the roaring engines, the different vehicles
within the beautiful landscapes and villages that we utilize
for our event, and to have a good time both at the event
and in exploring the different areas of the province while
here.
Competitors want to have a good time with the
smallest amount of worry and stress possible (competing
itself will cause enough of that). All in all, I compare it to
meeting the girlfriend’s parents for the first time. They are
flying in to wherever you call home. They’ve more than
likely never been there before. And it is now up to you to
put a good first impression across to them and show them a
good time. If you screw up, you’ll have to pay for that
wedding on your own and your father-in-law to be will
always get your name wrong - on purpose - for the rest of
your life. The pressure is on.
many a memorable experience), and the people (we are
some of the nicest folks you’ll ever meet on the face of the
earth…you just might not be able to understand what we’re
saying…just smile and ask them to repeat themselves). For
those who have spoken to me directly on the phone or in
person, you’ve probably already noticed that first hand.
Being a competitor is different from a spectator. A
competitor is here to compete. They want to have fun.
They want to push their car to the limit and sometimes
beyond. They want to experience the Targa themselves; to
pull stories from it and share it amongst their peers. And,
they want a plate or trophy to take home with them at the
end of the week. A flowered shirt or a seashell doesn’t even
come close to a legit souvenir for a competitor, but having a
Targa Plate or Finishers Medallion in your suitcase while
heading home is the best memory trigger one can have if
they’ve competed.
Here are some basic points that should be done
prior to attending Targa as a competitor:
-
Read the rules: don’t just show up without first
knowing if your vehicle will past tech. If you are
within the rules, then you should be fine going
through our tech on Registration Day. Our tech
crews are here to help, not hinder your experience.
However, they are also here to ensure a safe and
legal event for all involved.
-
Ask for help: if you are not sure about something,
please ask for assistance. Each team is given a
CRO (Competitor Relations Officer) upon their
arrival at Targa. This person becomes the “go-to”
for anything and everything. If you have a question
about a stage, about where to find a certain part for
your vehicle, about a restaurant, etc., this is the
person you will ask. Do not lose their contact
information!
-
Have everything booked well in advance (if
possible): hotels, flights, the ferry trip to and from
the island should all be booked and taken care of
Competing at Targa
If you’ve never been to Newfoundland before, that
in itself can be quite an experience. The fresh air (people
do comment about how clean it is compared to places
they’ve been or currently live in), the ocean (a lot of the
stages are right along the shoreline so seeing waves crashing
on the shore or just witnessing the ocean up close is for
by now. Hotel space is very limited in Clarenville
where Targa pretty much takes over the entire town
during the week. There are only a few bigger hotels
and most of the rooms are already booked.
Booking your own trip can be done, but we also
suggest a travel agency to assist should that be an
avenue you wish to use.
-
-
-
Bring a jacket: Newfoundland in September. It can
snow in September in Newfoundland. Not saying
it will, but it will be chilly in the mornings and
you’ll easily be able to see your breath when you
arrive for Breathalizer each morning. Bring a good
fall-type jacket, gloves, and even a toque. You can
also bring shorts and sunscreen. Never know, you
might need both during the week! Be prepared for
anything. As a competitor, you’ll have limited
space in your vehicle to pack clothing for the day.
Make sure you check the forecast the night before
and the morning of whatever day it is (weather
forecast is released at 4pm NL time the evening
before and 5:30am NL time the morning of the
stage on the Environment Canada weather site).
Have extra money/change: you will need it for
certain stages. Some communities will be
fundraising while we are using their roads for the
event. New fire truck, equipment for the high
school sports team, church groups, all might be on
the start line with a bucket or can asking for a
donation from you and your teammate. Have
spare change in the vehicle, such as a Toonie or a
Loonie (that’s a $2 and $1 coin) to toss in the can.
Keep in mind you’ll also have to get your own
breakfast and evening meal so make sure you have
money on hand for that. Lunches are provided to
competitors during the event and the Tuesday
evening seafood buffet in Garden Cove.
Make friends: Come here with the attitude of
having a good time and making new friends. All
walks of life enter. Multi-millionaires, college
students, retired people, professional racers, and
first time competitors are all combined in this
event. Our volunteers also fit into all of those
categories. So make friends. Help each other out.
By the 2nd day you’ll see how Targa is one big
family, or even sooner.
-
Hero cards: It might be a good idea to make up
some team cards to hand out to children and fans
during the car shows or at service stops. Children
especially like to receive something from the teams.
An autograph on a card with a picture of your
vehicle and team would certainly be something
they’d enjoy.
Spectating at Targa
Most of the points I made above can also be used
for a spectator. However, there are also points that are
strictly for spectators:
-
Stand behind yellow tape: Red tape is bad. Do not
stand behind it when you are out on the stages.
Yellow tape is alright to stand behind so look for
areas that have that colour and you’ll be fine.
-
Listen to the safety marshals: They are there to
help make sure you stay safe. They are trained in
what they are doing. Listen to them if they suggest
you view in another location or if they ask you to
stand back a few more feet away from the road.
-
Purchase tickets: If you are a family member or
friend of a competitor and you want to experience
the same social events and meals they do while at
the event, look into purchasing those tickets from
us. We’d love it if you can experience the same
parties and meals as they do.
-
Make sure you are able to move onto another stage
before the road is closed: Don’t get caught in a
stage before the road is closed if you intend to view
the stage directly after it. When Targa closes the
road to set the stage up that means you will not be
allowed to travel on the road. If you were planning
to view another stage or two down the road, make
sure you get out before we close the roads.
-
Grab an Official Guide at one of the Car Shows or
just before the start of the event: This will allow
you to see who is competing in what vehicle and
will provide you with some safety information
while viewing the stages.
Of course, continue to ask me and other Targa
officials questions when it comes to anything Targa or the
logistics regarding getting here, either as a competitor or as
a spectator. We want everyone involved to have a
wonderful time here in the province and at the event.
2015 Targa Newfoundland entry fees, deadlines, & specials!
Current Targa Entry Fee - $6995 + tax - present until start of event.
Time is getting short to enter the 14th annual Targa Newfoundland for September. The opportunity to promote your
entry on our website, social media feeds, and in our printed material, is getting short. So take advantage of our specials and our
very competitive entry fees for all our divisions! Registration forms can be obtained from contacting the Targa office or
downloading them from the main Targa website (www.targanewfoundland.com). Further information regarding entry into the
2015 Targa or other related topics regarding the event, please contact the office at 1-877-332-2413 or email
[email protected].
Arrival Roadside Kit
For those who wish to arrive and drive in Fast Tour and Grand Touring, Targa Newfoundland will now supply
competitors in these two divisions, for a fee, their Roadside Kits. Kits would include emergency triangles, first aid kit, tow rope,
and fire extinguishers (either a single 10BC or two 5BC). This Arrival Roadside Kit will be picked up during Registration/Tech
Day. Our Tech crews will help install the extinguisher(s) and make sure your safety gear is placed in the correct location of the
vehicle. $300.00 rental price for the kit, with $100.00 returned to the competitor at the end of the event if the full kit is
returned without use. 1-877-332-2413 or email [email protected].
Brake for Safety
Written by: Janet Brake, Stage Operations Coordinator
Watch out for the bouncing balls!
It’s great that kids can get outdoors to enjoy playing in the sunshine. If you see balls, Frisbees, or any toy, be alert for a child
chasing it. The child is not thinking about traffic but, rather, is focused on catching or retrieving the ball. Be especially alert if
the ball is bouncing or coming from between vehicles that may be parked on the roadside.
Keith Tanner - Unfinished business at Targa
For those who have followed Targa Newfoundland
over the years, the name Keith Tanner and Flyin’ Miata go
hand in hand with professionalism, a great attitude and
success, with a touch of heartbreak thrown in for good
measure. With his two previous attempts at the Targa, with
his wife and navigator Janel by his side, in their 1994
Mazda Miata (which Keith built himself for Targa), where
in 2008 it had 4-cylinder engine, but in 2011 Keith decided
to put a V-8 in the thing! The Martini Racing livery
adorning the Targa Miata proved to competitors and fans
alike that “this little coupe” could easily keep up and
surpass the big boys in Open class in Targa.
Keith is back for the 2015 Targa in a manufacturerbacked 2016 Mazda Miata MX-5 with a navigator that is yet
to be determine (could be Janel or might be someone new).
A new car for Keith in his third Targa awaits, plus with the
new layout of the event with Clarenville being the home
base while out on the road and almost 75% new stages
since Keith last ran 4 years ago, it is almost like a totally
new adventure for him. So of course, this would make for
good reading! Behold, here’s Keith Tanner.
Who is Keith Tanner, both personally and professionally?
Well, like every one of us who comes for the Targa,
I'm a car guy. I love all things mechanical – and I spend a
lot of time playing with them and fiddling with them.
Sometimes by choice, sometimes not! Outside of the
garage, I spend my time cycling, running, camping and
skiing. Colorado's good that way.
Professionally, I'm one of the lucky ones. I play
with cars for a living. At Flyin' Miata, I spend a lot of time
helping out Miata owners with technical questions as well
as handling the marketing, online presence and public
relations for the company. I also get to spend time
developing new products. It's a good day when you have to
bring your race helmet to work.
You’ve recently announced you’ll be coming back to
compete in Targa for a 3rd time (2008, 2011). What is
the draw in wanting to come back for a third time?
It gets into your blood. I love the feeling of tearing
down an unknown road with a navigator telling me what to
expect. Driving on the track just doesn't compare. And
this might sound odd, but I love the feel of a good
suspension working hard on some of Newfoundland's more,
ahem, experienced pavement. It'll be a long week, but I'll
be laughing with glee at the end of every stage.
Tell me about the car. It isn’t your Targa Miata with the
Martini Racing livery. This is a Mazda-backed entry,
correct?
It is! Mazda is introducing the fourth generation
Miata MX-5 as a 2016 model, and along with that they're
running a global spec series called MX-5 Global Cup. One
of the two development cars for that series is coming to
Newfoundland to run the Targa.
We got really lucky on the timing. There's about a
three week window available to add the Targa gear, bolt in a
passenger's seat and get the car shipped to the Rock.
Everything just came together. Mazda's been great to work
with, and this is an opportunity for them to show the new
model at speed on real roads. Long Road Racing developed
the car, and they'll be supporting it during the race.
The 2016 Mazda Miata MX-5 - the actual car Keith will be driving
Mechanically, it's fairly close to the stock car but it's
been fitted out with a complete range of safety equipment.
I'm really excited about it – this new car is small, light and
gorgeous with the classic fantastic Miata handling. It
should really be quick and fun.
One of the most exiting parts is the fact that the
Miata is one of the most raced cars in the world, and I get
to be involved in the competition debut of this new
generation. I'm thrilled about that.
You almost won Targa in 2011 except for an electrical
issue. After that disappointment, do you feel you have
unfinished business to take care of in 2015?
I should, shouldn't I? That was hard, having the
car coast to a stop at the end of day 4 and seeing our lead
and our Targa plate vanish. But, we proved what we came
out to prove, that we could run with the fastest Open
Division cars in a car I built myself. So while I'd love to
have that trophy on the mantel, I can hold my head up
high for what we accomplished. This new car is a different
creature, much less modified than my Martini beast. So it'll
be a different kind of race.
Keith and Janel Tanner…somewhere in Colorado
Car folks, and even general Miata fans, know what Flyin’
Miata is whenever the name is mentioned. I know you
never felt the brand would be as huge as it is today when
you guys first started working with Miata back in the 90’s.
Do you feel the brand will continue to be the backbone of
the Miata racing world? Is it leaning towards the Miata
owner who now just wants a sexier, faster type of ride? Or
a combination of both?
Flyin' Miata's typical customer is someone who
wants a fast street car that they can take on the track a few
times a year. We have our pure street customers and our
hard-core track customers, but most want a do-anything sort
of car that they can use to clip apexes on Sunday and drive
to work on Monday. I don't think this is going to change,
as it's been like that for a couple of decades now. The
racing we do is to support these customers.
We're well represented in the track day world, but
our best-known products – turbo kits, superchargers,
suspension and V8 conversions – aren't legal in a lot of race
series. In fact, that's one of the things that drew me to
Targa in the first place, the technical freedom to build just
about anything and then test it hard over a week. Racing
under a more constrained rulebook wouldn't give us the
same opportunity to develop new products.
We have seen an increase in cars coming in for
more radical transformations over the years, however.
We've been getting orders for turn-key V8 cars faster than
we can build them! A lot of the parts on those cars are
ones that were proven on the Targa stages.
A lot has changed with Targa since your last appearance
in 2011 (4 overnights in Clarenville, new Bonavista
Peninsula stages, majority of the event is new stages,
expanded years that fit in each division, etc.). Do you feel
you are coming back to a brand new event or is there still
that feeling of “this is Targa; I know what I’m up against”?
I'm going to miss some of those classic stages –
Leading Tickles was wonderful, and Garnish was a real
challenge. But I'm looking forward to the new stages, and
the idea of not having to move hotels every night sure
sounds good! I'm pretty comfortable with what to expect.
The new classification isn't really going to affect anything,
we'll race the car we have and with the lack of handicapping
in Modern/Open, we're all on equal grounds. I know the
moment I pull in to scrutineering it'll feel like coming
home.
Push the whole Targa scenario away and tell me what you
think about the province of Newfoundland and Labrador?
You’re from a part of the United States where
temperatures can reach 100 degrees, you can be stuck in a
blizzard in the winter, and it hardly rains in the summer.
Being up here must be like on another planet for you.
It's quite a change, that's for sure. I grew up in
Ottawa and worked for a while in the far north, so all the
exposed rock feels really familiar. It's a completely different
color palette with greys and greens instead of our red rocks,
but I love it. It's got that same sort of harsh beauty that the
desert and the arctic does. We're a long way from the
ocean at home, so it's a real treat to see that. The weather
in Newfoundland does make things particularly interesting,
especially since our car for 2015 doesn't have a roof! I'm
quite happy to leave the 100F (38 degrees C) weather
behind, personally, although I'd prefer to avoid any
hurricanes this time around.
Newfoundland always has such a great sense of
place; you can never mistake it for anywhere else. I love the
fact that Targa isn't serviced by a big slick professional
catering company, but that the lunch stops are put together
by the same people who are letting us race around their
towns. Even if I don't get a chance to talk to anyone, I
always end up wandering around the hall and looking at
what's on the walls. You realize you're visiting a real place
where real people live, not taking part in an over-sanitized
and scripted “experience”.
One of my favorite Targa memories is waiting to
start a stage (Frenchman's Cove, I think) and discovering
wild blueberries growing beside the road. It had been a
long day near the end of a long week and we were still a
long way from home – but I couldn't help but smile because
I had the taste of fresh, wild berries on my tongue. You just
don't get that when racing anywhere else.
Writers note: For more information on Keith’s previous
adventures at Targa, you can view the website
http://www.targamiata.com/. This is where he updated his
and Janel’s adventures at the Targa in 2008 and 2011.
He’ll also be updating it at this year’s event, so bookmark it
to see what Keith is thinking (and blogging) about in the
next couple of months. And, for information about Flyin’
Miata and its products, you can check out
https://www.flyinmiata.com/. Everything Miata, all the
time!
Driving with Puss
Written by: Bill “Puss” Goodyear, Clerk of the Course
Exercise and racing
To continue, and finish, we started off talking about how you could make your puddle jumper go faster when there was
a lack of funds. It was to reduce the weight of the car. The next, somewhat lesser talked about, way to make that same car go
faster is also thru' a lack of weight...YOURS, and your co-driver. That's right, the less you weigh can also make a difference.
This brings up the question of being in shape.
Driving a race car at speed is not easy, and is quite tiring if you are not in proper physical shape. Actually, it is quite
tiring even if you are in good shape, just ask a race car driver. Therefore, and I don't profess to be an expert, talk to someone
who knows what they're talking about, about how to get you in the proper physical shape for doing a physically demanding
exercise. Then take their advice.
And, as always, read, understand and heed the rules of the event in which you will be competing...and don't forget…
TO FINISH FIRST, YOU FIRST MUST FINISH!
Targa at Princess Auto Car Show & Fun Day
In mid-July, Targa was invited to attend and
participate in the 1st annual Princess Auto Car Show &
Fun Day that took place at the Princess Auto location on
Stavanger Drive in St. John’s. A large contingent from the
“Targa Family” came out to lend support to the event. The
competitor vehicle of Mike Mercer & Corey Prosser, the
#202 Mazda Miata entry in Classic division of Targa, was in
attendance and a huge hit with the fans. Most don’t get to
see a fully prepared Targa vehicle up close unless it is at
Targa, yet it was available for the public to see several weeks
before the start of the event.
fully race prepared Porsche 911 (which is for sale by the
way). Other volunteers with Targa had their Dodge
Challenger, Hyundai Veloster, Ford Mustang’s and a very
unique addition, a 1928 Ford Model A Rat Rod, which is
owned and built by Jason Bailey of Bay Bulls. The Rat will
also be on display during Targa at the Jack Byrne Arena in
Torbay during the start of the event. Jason will also be on
hand to answer questions about the vehicle and the process
of building it, to the public during the car shows in Torbay.
Photo taken by Megan Homer
Photo take by Mike Mercer
Robert Giannou, President of Targa, had his 2005
Jaguar XKR Silverstone on display; along with his 1975
Jason and the Rat actually won Best in Show at the
car show, with the prize being a $250.00 gift card from
Princess Auto. The fans voted for their favourite vehicle on
the lot, so it certainly is a good sign that the fans appreciate
Jason’s talents, since he did build the vehicle by himself
over a 3 year period.
Targa Newfoundland would like to thank all of
those who came out to the show with their vehicles to
support the 1st annual Princess Auto Car Show and Fun
Day and to promote some “Targa Family” time together!
Looking forward to doing it all again next year!
Photo taken by Megan Homer
Official videographer & drone operator announced for Targa 2015
Targa Newfoundland has reached an agreement
with Skyreach Aerial Media of Flatrock, Newfoundland, to
provide film and aerial drone footage of this year’s Targa.
Todd Fowler and Julie Carroll will be on the stages, in the
arenas, and at social events leading up to and during the
event.
Both have years of experience in producing film
and the use of aerial drones for stunning picture quality
and providing memories that will last a life time in HD.
Todd and Julie will be formally introduced to the
competitors and crews during the Registration Day and at
the Driver’s Meeting on Prologue Day. This will allow
competitors and teams to be more comfortable with each of
them when they are recording in the arenas or asking for
interview time with specific crews at the evening car shows.
Todd and Julie are also available for competitors
and teams to purchase their film and drone footage to
promote their own entries in the event. If a competitor
would like a DVD or YouTube videos of their time here at
the Targa, please contact Todd or Julie and they’d be happy
to discuss what type of footage and the amount of footage
you’d like of your time at the Targa. It’d be a great way to
have a keepsake of the event, plus would be great for
sponsorship proposals for future Targa entries.
Screen shot taken while at the Princess Auto Car Show in July
The fully edited review video of the show taken by
Skyreach Aerial Media is available at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbl71rugou0&feature
=youtu.be. Have a look at a sample of the type of video
competitors and fans will see during Targa 2015!
Skyreach Aerial Media is also available to the
general public for all of your film and aerial drone needs. If
the public would like to contact Todd for further
information, he can be reached at (709) 725-0262 or by
email at [email protected]. Julie is reachable at
[email protected]. Below is a bit more information
on Todd and Julie.
Screen shot taken while at the Princess Auto Car Show in July
The Skyreach Crew
Todd Fowler - Todd has been a quad-copter pilot and
enthusiast for the past three years and is now focused
specifically on high definition aerial imagery and video
production. He uses the latest aerial equipment that can
take stunning high definition video and photographic
content for your next video production. Todd's strong
approach to safety and ethical and responsible operation of
his aerial platforms make him the ideal choice to work with
your team in nearly any situation. He can also take your
footage and apply post processing and video editing services
to help ensure you a polished end product.
Julie Carroll - Julie is Todd's partner in crime both
professionally and personally, and is the Ground
Operations Manager for Skyreach. An avid flyer and
photographer in her own right, one of Julie's
responsibilities is to ensure things on the ground run safely
and smoothly while the aircraft are flying overhead. The
pilot's main focus will be on the sky and concentrating on
getting the shot, while Julie acts as a spotter and makes sure
nothing interferes with their ability to operate safely,
especially when it comes to operating in areas where the
general public may be in close proximity. Julie will also be
filming with ground cameras and assisting with GoPro
camera set-up’s.
Ralph Saulnier back for another year of photos at Targa
With the announcement that Skyreach Aerial
Media is now on board to film, in unique and exciting ways,
the 2015 event, Targa is also proud to announce that our
official photographer, Ralph Saulnier, will once again be
back for another year of great pictures and scooting around
the stages on his motorcycle!
His motorsports photography experience goes back
over 25 years, started by following 4x4 off-road truck racing
that his brother and friends were doing. He still does it to
this day, but on a limited schedule to allow for shooting
other sports, including his local running series, youths and
adults, and time to attend the Targa of course.
He enjoys the challenge of capturing racing action,
but he obtains as much satisfaction in getting the human
moments surrounding such events. His shooting style
tends to lean towards the "in-your-face", but done as much
as possible candidly to make the moments as honest as
possible (and not to get a smack in the mouth by someone
who isn’t camera friendly).
Ralph with that "I am a handsome devil” look, along with his trusty
motorcycle he drives from Nova Scotia and at the event.
His list of services is short but high quality. For
Targa, he offers race teams CD sets of their own race car
taken over the week. Depending on how much of the week
they complete, the quantity of hi-res images will range from
50-75. He also has been providing a poster-design service
the last several years. Each design is unique to the
customer's preferences and are priced per order, with
discounts depending on quantity (see below).
More info or questions on Ralph’s photos and
services can be directed to him at: [email protected]
Prices will be confirmed and advertized soon and
included in the 2015 Targa Registration package that teams
will receive on Registration/Tech Day.
Targa Newfoundland Contacts
www.targanewfoundland.com - www.facebook.com/targanl - www.twitter.com/targanl
Robert Giannou
President
[email protected]
303 Thorburn Road, Suite 2-D
St John's, Newfoundland, Canada.
A1B 4R1
Cell: 709-682-7900 Tel: 877-332-2413 Fax: 709-753-7646
Darren Sheppard
General Manager
[email protected]
303 Thorburn Road, Suite 2-D
St John's, Newfoundland, Canada.
A1B 4R1
Tel: 709-722-2413 Tel: 877-332-2413 Fax: 709-753-7646
Targa Newfoundland Sponsors